OLYMPIA, Wash.-Updates to water quality rules in Washington aim to protect aquatic life from toxic chemicals.
The Washington Department of Ecology updated the state’s aquatic life toxics criteria based on new research, science and recommendations from the Environmental Protection Agency and Tribal governments.
“By using innovative methods and new scientific studies we can better protect salmon, shellfish and all aquatic life from the toxic chemicals they face every day,” said Vince McGowan, Ecology’s Water Quality program manager.
Washington’s standards, which already included toxics such as arsenic, copper, nickel, silver, and zinc, were updated to better protect aquatic life.
According to the Department of Ecology, the new additions to Washington’s aquatic life criteria include PFOA and PFOS (part of the PFAS chemical group), aluminum, and 6PPD-quinone.
The new criteria must now be approved by the EPA and then Ecology will identify polluted waters in Washington and develop clean up plans.
The public had the opportunity to comment and provide feedback on the proposed changes and those comments and Ecology’s responses are available in the Concise Explanatory Statement.
“The new limits are customized to Washington’s unique environment and the species we need to protect,” said McGowan.
